FEMA’s New Grant Program: What we know thus far
The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Program will replace the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program in FY20.
FEMA is currently in the process of soliciting feedback on the development of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, which is a new competitive grant program created in 2018 by the Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA). Throughout the month of June, FEMA held weekly webinars to discuss various aspects of the program. The DRRA established more than 50 new authorities and requirements across FEMA to address the rising cost of disasters and reform federal programs.
What do we know about the development of the BRIC program so far?
FEMA is still in the early stages of developing the program, but so far we know that the BRIC program is intended to replace FEMA’s Pre-Disaster Mitigation program. There will likely be one more cycle of the Pre-Disaster Mitigation program in FY19 and then the BRIC program will begin in FY20.
To be eligible for participation in the BRIC program, communities would need to have a major disaster declaration in the past seven years (as of now, all states would qualify). The legislation requires the federal / nonfederal match to be 75/25, with possible exceptions for smaller, low-income communities.
What concepts may be incorporated into the program?
The BRIC program will seek to build on the concepts of the Pre-Disaster Mitigation program by placing even more emphasis on resilience, hazard mitigation, and enhancing community capacity. The program will prioritize resilient infrastructure projects, offer funds to facilitate the development of local and regional hazard mitigation plans, and support projects that build capability and capacity at every scale. The legislation also allows FEMA to support efforts to improve building code enforcement and adoption through the BRIC program. FEMA is also looking into enhancing their funding’s impact by incorporating considerations of risk into allocation decisions. Finally, the agency is considering ways to incorporate the concept of community lifelines into the program. The community lifelines concept charts what basic essential services communities provide — medical services, transportation, communication networks, safety and security, etc. — and hopes to support projects specifically geared towards protecting these services and understanding interdependencies. Through these efforts, FEMA aims to start tangible discussions about how projects can buy down risk and effectively mitigate the impacts of future disasters.
What will the application process be for the BRIC program?
FEMA is still soliciting feedback from stakeholders on the application process for the program, but the goals for the new process include reducing complexities, simplifying the process by using a new FEMAGo system, reducing documentation, and reducing Request for Information (RFI) issuances. Similarly to the Pre-Disaster Mitigation program, FEMA intends to require a Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) in the BRIC application process as well, though they are requesting feedback on how to improve this tool.
How is the BRIC program funded?
The BRIC program will be funded through the Disaster Relief Fund as a set aside of up to six percent from estimated disaster grant expenditures. Disaster grant expenditures will be calculated by looking at spending for FEMA’s Public Assistance and Individual Assistance programs. Unlike the Pre-Disaster Mitigation program, BRIC funding will not be appropriated. The BRIC program will not reduce funding for other FEMA programs. While funding for the program will vary based on disaster funding, FEMA estimates that the program will be funded at $300–500 million per year, with significantly greater amounts following years with catastrophic disasters.
What type of feedback is FEMA interested in obtaining from stakeholders?
FEMA is soliciting comments on the following topics:
- Infrastructure Mitigation Projects
- Hazard Mitigation Assistance Application Process
- Building Codes and Enforcement
- Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA)
- Risk-Informed Funding
- Hazard Mitigation Planning
- Funding & Resource Management
- Grant Project Evaluation
- Capacity and Capability Building
- Lifelines
How can stakeholders submit comments?
You can share your perspective and feedback as the program is still being developed at BUILDBRIC@fema.dhs.gov and at Fema.ideascale.com. Comments are due by July 15, 2019.
We are excited for the development of the BRIC program and will continue to keep coalition membership in the loop with any updates we know about regarding it. As always, if you have any suggestions or requests for legislative updates please do not hesitate to reach out.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact us via social media or at info@floodcoalition.org
This post was authored by Victoria Sclafani, Policy Associate, with Lindsey Reitinger, Strategic Initiatives Intern.
